
The world-famous magician Dynamo says he can’t think of a more magical place to host the Great Exhibition of the North than his home city of Bradford.
The illusionist, whose real name is Steven Frayne, was born in Bradford in 1982 and grew up on the city’s Delph Hill estate.
Dynamo says: "Bradford has undergone a huge amount of change over the past few years and become an incredibly vibrant, multicultural city.
"The people and culture of Bradford have always been a huge inspiration to me in my career and I can’t think of a more magical place to host The Great Exhibition of the North than my hometown.”
His great-grandfather taught him how to perform illusions at the age of seven to help deter bullies.
His breakthrough came in 2006 when he made a documentary called Estate of Mind for Channel 4.
His dream of a TV series became a reality in 2011 when the first season of Dynamo: Magician Impossible was aired.
Dynamo has performed for the Prince of Wales and stars including Will Smith, Brad Pitt and Samuel L Jackson.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: "Dynamo has a truly inspiring life story and we are very proud of his international success as an A-list performer who celebrates his northern roots.
"It is wonderful to have backing of Dynamo and we agree wholeheartedly with him that there is no place as magical as Bradford.”
Bradford Council is preparing to submit its bid to host the Great Exhibition of the North, which will take place in summer 2018.